Technology Lab —

Zune 4.2 update points to Zune phone, European support

The newly released Zune PC software 4.2.202. mean.

Two days ago, Microsoft took down all the Zune services for a "maintenance update" that seems to have in it a little bit more than just bug fixes. While the downtime was supposed to take a full day (starting at 10pm PST on Monday), the Zune Insider noted that "the team rocked it and got the maintenance finished well under the expected 'up to 24 hours.'" During that short period, Microsoft released Zune PC software 4.2. In it, there are clues hinting that a Zune phone is coming and that the Zune, in some form, will soon be available outside of North America.

Zune Phone or Windows Mobile plus Zune?

Last week, an analyst went on record saying that a Zune Phone would arrive from Microsoft in two months, and now there's more evidence that this isn't just idle speculation about the device. Actually, make that three devices: the software includes USB drivers for three separate, unannounced supposed Zune phones, as first spotted by istartedsomething. The hardware ID, which uniquely identifies the manufacturer, is registered to Microsoft. Here are the relevant contents, tucked away inside the Zune.inf file from version 4.2.202.0 of the Zune software:

It's worth noting that the driver specifically references Microsoft as the vendor. This mention of the word "phone" is another strong indication that the long-rumored Zune phone will become a reality. Whether it's a mobile phone that looks like the Zune HD media player or a mobile phone running Windows Mobile 7 that includes premium Zune media services remains to be seen (we think the latter is much more likely).

So what does Microsoft have to say about all this? The company is standing firm on its official stance that it has been keeping for years: there's no Zune phone coming. "There are no plans to create a Zune Phone," a Microsoft spokesperson told Ars. "It makes sense that someday Zune could be part of a phone experience, but there have been no announcements about how or if that will happen."

International support? Europe?

After it became clear that the Zune 4.2 update had important changes in it, we wanted to learn what else it might have. "The 4.2 update that went out on Tuesday was primarily a back-end service update and didn't include consumer facing feature updates," a Microsoft spokesperson told Ars. "Since this update was focused on maintenance, we don’t share details about what that entails—just regular maintenance of the Zune service."

So we knew there would not be any new features worth finding (such as the upcoming OGG and MOV file format support, but nevertheless we downloaded the software and installed it, and then did the same with the older 4.0 version that arrived with the release of the Zune HD. We were a bit surprised to find that Windows 7 libraries are now supported: the "Monitored Folders" section under the software's settings includes the Windows 7 Library locations Music, Videos, and Photos in the list of folders to watch). Furthermore, a Podcast library for syncing podcasts via Homegroup settings is available. Also, AVI files can be played back just fine, and overall the software is snappier than 4.0. Arguably the most interesting part though, is that German and Italian languages have been added:

In fact, these folders have everything the software needs to change the UI to a different localization, be that English, French, Spanish, Italian, or German. The first three existed in 4.0, and that's because the original Zune 30GB arrived on US soil in November 2006. Cries to bring the devices overseas grew louder as time passed, but all Microsoft managed to do was bring the Zune series next door, to Canada, in June 2008. Hence we have English, French, and Spanish:

When the Zune HD launched, Microsoft told us that there were no plans to release it outside of the US. The additional languages, German and Italian, do not necessarily mean that this will change, but it does mean that the Zune will be available in Europe, in at least in some form. "As far as International plans, we are looking at what a 'to go' Zune experience would look like in other markets around the world but have nothing to announce right now," the Microsoft spokesperson told Ars.

Are you passionate about consumer and entertainment products and technologies? The Entertainment and Devices Division (E&D) is leading the company’s digital entertainment strategy and product development. Within E&D, the Zune Device team is responsible for enabling people to be entertained anywhere, anytime using Zune devices. A fundamental part of our strategy is having desirable and powerful devices that enable the experiences our consumers want, and elicit their excitement. Creating these devices involves a close partnership between hardware and software engineers, designers, and manufacturing. We are currently building the next generation of portable digital entertainment and Zune needs you!

Localized Zune software may mean that the Zune HD will finally hit other countries in addition to the US, but it could also be an indication of Windows Mobile 7 phones with Zune media capabilities connecting to Zune PC software. Windows Mobile 7 phones aren't going to be US-only, so this explanation makes the most sense to us at this time.

As for the Zune phone: please please please make it like the Zune HD in terms of hardware/UI (it would beat the crap out of current WinMo 6.x) and make available outside the US! All the Zune HD lacks is GSM, Bluetooth, GPS (just because it's become standard in smart phones) and a good-enough cam. Oh, and some productivity apps, of course.

Also, it'd be great if you marketed the Zune HD outside the US... I was sold the minute I saw the first videos and reviews of the thing, and I bet lots of European and Asian people would love to be able to buy the AMOLED glory that is the Zune HD without importing it like I did.

Originally posted by daemonios:@Game_Ender - can I have some of whatever you're smoking?

That was an allusion to ginormous amount of iPad coverage over the last few days.

That's cool, I just didn't get where you were going with that

quote:

Originally posted by Paul Hill:

quote:

Originally posted by daemonios:I bet lots of European and Asian people would love to be able to buy the AMOLED glory that is the Zune HD without importing it like I did.

Cool, how did you stop the Zune store barfing at you? I was going to import but got one of those "you ain't from around here are yah boy" messages like Hulu gives us firreners.

I didn't

I changed my Live account and set it up as if I were in the States, changed the regional settings in Win7 RC to the States too and I can view the marketplace and download the free stuff. For the paid stuff - tough luck.

[EDIT] If you mean for buying the Zune HD - I did it at zunethings.co.uk. They import from the US into the UK and ship internationally, though I ended up paying much more for it than the US retail price...

And yeah, it also pisses me off that services like Netflix don't accomodate clients outside the US. This type of restriction is completely outdated in the age of the Internet. Heck, even trying to pick up cheap HD-DVD's at Amazon I often get "we can't ship this product to your delivery address"!

Hooray! Can't wait for this. My cell contract with Verizon is up in August, which will give whatever device they're planning (assuming the "two months" speculation is true) enough time to mature.

And FTR, I don't care about it being an "iPhone killer" or any other killer. I just want my Zune and my cell phone wrapped into one package. And on Verizon's network, please Dog make it be on Verizon's network.

Oh man, if a phone ships with nvidia's tegra I'd be all over it. A phone that could output HD video via a standard hdmi port would be wicked.

Correction to your article: I still don't think you can buy a Zune in Canada today. I've heard on ars a few times that they're offering it but I'm pretty sure they reversed that and ended up never actually selling them here.

If it happens to be the Zune HD with standard phone capabilities (GSM, Bluetooth, GPS and a decent camera as daemonios said) and sold world wide or at least the whole North America that's my next phone. Windows mobile with extra features is good, but not that compelling. Zune HD phone... that'll be worth the premium price it is sure to command (even though I hope it doesn't cost that much more than a regular Zune HD).

Oh, if only MS would release the Zune in Europe I'd be all over it like a wet tracksuit. I didn't buy one last time I was visiting North America and I so wish I had. I'm getting pretty tired of Apple and sick of my iPod. A Zune would make a nice little change. I assume since there's been no official announcement that we're a long way away from it though, sadly.

It looks like a good product. I'd be happy to look seriously at getting a Zune, seeing as I need a high capacity mp3 player and don't particularly want to install iTunes (plus, I've heard the HDD iPods aren't as reliable or work as smoothly as the flash based ones). However, MS shoot themselves in the foot by not selling worldwide. No wonder Apple have such a stranglehold on the market - the competition can't organise themselves out of a paper bag.